Name calling acceptable as a Christian?

What bothers me is the dehumanization.

Alibris said:

Any thoughts about this?

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Since the Bible says all society/the world/ is deceived (long before any real or fake virus),
where does that leave the sheep or the sheeple, either one ?

Alibris said:

Recently saw a christian friend post on facebook about the corona virus.

She believes the corona virus is nothing more then influenza, the number of people actually dying from corona has been inflated to make it seem worse then it actually is, that masks don't actually stop the spread of it so making people wear one is unconstitutional and that the media is lying to us about it. That to find out the truth we need to find non biased sites that tell the truth about the Corona virus.

That is fine if she wishes to believe this but my issue is when she calls people sheeple.

I am not sure she understands the difference of being called a sheep for God and insulting people by calling them sheeple for other reasons like maybe you have a difference about politics and that she has no issues calling people sheeple because they have a different view on the corona virus.

Any thoughts about this?

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No, name calling is not acceptable for any Christian to engage in...

Perhaps if she's your friend, you might mention this to her off Facebook sometime. Being face to face for such a conversation is more positive, because she can hear the inflection in your voice and see your body language... then just mention that you don't think name calling like calling people sheeple is treating others as she would have others treat her, and you think there are more positive ways for a Christian to get across their point...

Might help.

You can share an opinion without maligning or debasing others. Meanness isn't amusing. Nor is pride.

Yours in His Service,

~bella

Alibris said:

Any thoughts about this?

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Both Jesus and John the Baptist called people snakes (Luke 3:7, Matthew 12:34). I would say it was a method of putting over the extreme danger in the conduct these people were engaging in. Raw truth as a last resort.

What may be an issue about your friend's post is that it is not true. She is calling people sheeple regarding conduct that is avoiding extreme danger. Truth is the missing component.

God Bless

If we don't agree with what other people are doing or saying, then if we are going to have our own view heard and respected, then we should never resort to name calling.

Name calling is like throwing water onto a burning chip pan. It doesn't put out the fire and usually we are the ones that end up getting burnt.

Alibris said:

The thing is that we are not Jesus or John.

We are light in this world for unbelievers and when we go around insulting them by calling them sheeple because we disagree with them it really isn't going to win them over.

You can't hit them over the head with truth but win them over with love.

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Yes. But as a last resort, if people were consistently ignoring the truth I think it could be valid. It would certainly grab their attention. However, according to the OP that's not the case here. God Bless

Alibris said:

I have talked to her in private messenger since she lives out of state about this and she sees no issue with calling others sheeple for having a different point of view.

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While this is a strong preaching you might like to post it, tagging a few of your friends, and include among several a tag for her too.

Listen to the sermon... decide whether you'd like to do as I've suggested.

Alibris said:

Recently saw a christian friend post on facebook about the corona virus.

She believes the corona virus is nothing more then influenza, the number of people actually dying from corona has been inflated to make it seem worse then it actually is, that masks don't actually stop the spread of it so making people wear one is unconstitutional and that the media is lying to us about it. That to find out the truth we need to find non biased sites that tell the truth about the Corona virus.

That is fine if she wishes to believe this but my issue is when she calls people sheeple.

I am not sure she understands the difference of being called a sheep for God and insulting people by calling them sheeple for other reasons like maybe you have a difference about politics and that she has no issues calling people sheeple because they have a different view on the corona virus.

Any thoughts about this?

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Yes. I have a thought on this, and I've come to the conclusion that absolutely no one anywhere at any time should ever apply derogatory labels like, "You Brood of Vipers!" to other people. So, too, for labels like "You sheeple."

It just kind of goes without saying ... Am I right?

2PhiloVoid said:

Yes. I have a thought on this, and I've come to the conclusion that absolutely no one anywhere at any time should ever apply derogatory labels like, "You Brood of Vipers!" to other people. So, too, for labels like "You sheeple."

It just kind of goes without saying ... Am I right?

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Jesus wasn't calling Pharisees a viper's brood because they held a different opinion. He said they could say no good because they were evil, oppressed the followers with laws, were honored for being holy men, but were blind guides leading people away from God.

Those claiming that the virus is a hoax, masks don't prevent the virus, were very prideful, thought themselves in on a secret, and everyone else was stupid - sheeple, giving away their rights.

And those same people are now silent. I was often told to "do the research", and simply talking to a doctor will separate myths from facts. Who do you trust? Someone who went to med school, or someone that has no facts to back up his theory?

Calling people names is what people do when their argument is weak.

Jesus was only harsh with the Pharisees who misled followers away from God. They were poisonous.

But why the need to dehumanize your neighbor unless it is to harm them

Beanieboy said:

Jesus wasn't calling Pharisees a viper's brood because they held a different opinion. He said they could say no good because they were evil, oppressed the followers with laws, were honored for being holy men, but were blind guides leading people away from God.

Those claiming that the virus is a hoax, masks don't prevent the virus, were very prideful, thought themselves in on a secret, and everyone else was stupid - sheeple, giving away their rights.

And those same people are now silent. I was often told to "do the research", and simply talking to a doctor will separate myths from facts. Who do you trust? Someone who went to med school, or someone that has no facts to back up his theory?

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EXACTLY, brother Beanieboy!

Beanieboy said:

Calling people names is what people do when their argument is weak.

Jesus was only harsh with the Pharisees who misled followers away from God. They were poisonous.

But why the need to dehumanize your neighbor unless it is to harm them

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On my part, I don't think I've ever "dehumanized" my neighbor, most especially not my Christian brethren.

Like EVER.

However, I will admit that I get rather scruffy with anyone who thinks they're going to take the initiative and get into my face and ... "call me down," most particularly if they're going to call me down via their own favorite flavor paradigm which I think is shot through with axiological inconsistencies, epistemological holes, and other nonsense. Besides, I've never been a fan of Swiss Cheese.

But to call people names just for the sheer joy of it? I've never, and I wouldn't.

That’s a personal in the ear kinda thing, not well publicized. But I think it’s cute. I wouldn’t mind being called sheeple. She is just referring to people who are followers and don’t have their own opinion. I mean we’re sheep, we’re sheeple a step up from a dumb sheep. It’s gentle and kind, not violent or aggressive. Kind funny names are ok to call, but when your trying to hurt someone that’s when you have to tone it down to don’t. Edify an argument with a humorous name. She’s not out to kill somebody just classify them.

It is also ok if your fighting yourself.

Alibris said:

I am not sure she understands the difference of being called a sheep for God and insulting people by calling them sheeple for other reasons like maybe you have a difference about politics and that she has no issues calling people sheeple because they have a different view on the corona virus.

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Jesus referred to his followers as sheep in contrast to goats. Sheep are gentle and pliable; they are easy to lead and guide; they have a humble, willing spirit. That is the spiritual essence of being a sheep. It's actually high praise for those who are willing to recognize a power greater than themselves and to be led by that power.

Referring to people as sheeple is the opposite; the implication is that they are unthinking, that they are brainwashed, that they do not think about the choices they make.

Unfortunately, this is a genuine distinction; there really is a category of sheep and there really is an opposite, contrary category of sheeple. It's a strange issue because the sheeple moniker really is meant to be an insult, but it's a genuine category of people. There really are people who do not think about the choices they make. They react. They believe the strength of their feelings and emotions makes their various fears and prejudices right by default; the stronger the feeling, the more right they believe they are.

And, there are some people who not only recognize this illogical response, but exploit it by intentionally inflaming these feelings of righteous indignation as a means of control. If you can make people afraid of a demon on the left, then, in their fear, they will stampede to the right. If you can make people afraid of a demon on the right then they will, in their fear, stampede to the left. This is a very rough illustration; clever manipulators can take this rough concept and refine it to very fine detail so that they can manipulate greed, fear and pride in such a way that they get people running in all directions according to the various desires of the manipulators.

This is essentially what most marketing is. Very little advertising today is just a simple, plain, straight-forward explanation of what the product is and why it's useful. Most advertising attempts to exploit greed, fear, and pride to increase sales, which makes sense. If the point is to make a profit (which is what all capitalism is), then it makes sense to use any available tool to do so.

This is where ethics and morality comes in, but it is also where the hypocrisy of the whole monetary system is shown; you can't have morality and a desire to make money at the expense of others. They are contrary concepts.

This is the heart of Jesus' teachings about money and why he said we cannot work for both God and money at the same time without cheating on one or the other. You can't say you love your neighbor if you only help him because he pays you for that help.

The real sheeple of the world are those who have been convinced that they will die if they don't spend their lives chasing after monetary gain. The sheep are those who recognize that the shepherd really does have their best interest at heart and that he really will lead them to a better life if they only follow his commands.